Naples,Florida

Pictures from Naples.

Naples,
Florida is south of Tampa by approximately 150 miles and west of Fort Lauderdale
by about 100 miles. It nestles on the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico just
outside the vast Everglades area. Originally developed as another of
Florida's "rich man's paradise", Naples has kept its reputation
as home to the wealthy with one of the highest per capita incomes in the nation.

Most
locals refer to the area within the city limits as "old Naples" and
the remainder of the metropolitan area as "Naples". Old Naples is
strikingly different from much of the surrounding area - and from many other
Florida coastal areas - because of the many building code restrictions. These
restrictions have throttled big developers and left in their wake a charming,
peaceful community. Beautiful residential neighborhoods blending almost
seamlessly into tastefully presented commercial areas gives old Naples an old
Florida charm that's irresistible. Whether you walk, bike or ride through this
area, you'll surrender your heart to this tropical wonderland full of palms,
flowers and lush landscapes.

Naples
caters to a wide variety of interests and tastes, also. From fabulous 5th Avenue
shopping to the beaches and parks on the Gulf and inland to the museums and arts
centers to the fishing and boating crowd, there is plenty for everyone. Daytime
activities are abundant and if you're still standing after dinner, nightlife is
not a problem with theatre, clubs and an assortment of bars and late night
dining. This little city packs a big tourism punch and vacation time may not be
enough to see and enjoy it all.

For
"Beach Nuts", this area provides public access to some great beaches
through state and local parks as well as through county and city access areas.
Lover's Key State Park (just north of Bonita Beach), Barefoot Beach (just south
of Bonita Springs) and Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park also have hiking trails
and natural areas to explore. Sea turtles, land tortoises and an abundance of
sea and land birds provide additional excitement.

Visitors
to Naples can tour many southwest Florida cities in the area by car. Thirty
minutes or less north is Bonita Beach
and Bonita Springs. Thirty to forty-five minutes beyond Bonita you'll find Sanibel
and Captiva, Cape
Coral, Fort Myers and Fort
Myers Beach. Twenty minutes south of Naples is Marco
Island. For those with a desire to visit the lower east coast of Florida,
Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Miami can all be reached within 90 minutes
or so. This area can be accessed by air travel from the Naples Municipal Airport
or The Southwest Florida International Airport just southwest of Fort Myers.

Downtown Old Naples, Florida - 5th Avenue South

Pictures
above and left are views along beautiful. palm tree lined 5th Avenue
South. Famous for its shopping, you'll like the outdoor sidewalk cafes even
more.

Dine
outside for lunch at McCabes Irish Pub & Grill (top, left) or after a
performance next door at the Sudgen
Community Theatre (top right). Von Liebig Art Center (left) is just a
stroll away.

Third Street South and Gallery Row

Historic
3rd Street South has much the same appeal as 5th Avenue with sidewalk cafes and
upscale shopping. Broad Avenue's Gallery Row (above) features fine art
galleries.

Relax
for lunch outdoors at the vine-covered Old Naples Pub

"Dolphins"
by George Lundeen (center) graces the corner of 3rd Street and Broad Avenue.

Naples Pier

The original 1888 Naples
pier was a railway freight and passenger dock. Rebuilt many times after fires
and storms, the pier and public beach are today a Naples landmark.

US flag flies at the
entrance to the Naples pier.

View of North Naples from the pier across the
Gulf of Mexico.

Fish, sit, stroll or
just hang out at the pier.

Old Naples Beach Houses

Today's beach houses in
Old Naples are mostly roomy estates. Gone are the quaint quarters from years ago
reflecting the multi-million dollar land purchases for beachfront.